- He went out of the blue like: hey wanna resign and have signed for RM already.
- NT said nope you have a contract with us.
- Some drama.
- They fired him to "save face".

Seems more like a personal conflict between the newly elected Spanish football federation president and Lopetegui that culminated when Lopetegui took the once in a lifetime opportunity for a trophy-less coach to coach RM.

The president is rumored to have said "I renewed your contract even though I know you didn't vote for me."

That quote might be fake, but this whole debacle, the players being against the sacking and all suggest he's too immature and egotistical for his role regardless of that quote. Then I Google his name and I see he's unusually young for an FA president and his appearance and facial expressions scream douchebag.

From what Ibrahimovic said after leaving Barca, he has total admiration for Messi. He put all the blame on pep. Ibra has too big of an ego to admire Messi if he tossed him out. Which lead me to believe ibra wasn't kicked out of Barca because Messi asked for it.

I won't deny Messi's word is powerful for both club and national teams. But the idea that he picks line ups and tosses out players are just rumors as you said.